Viceroy of Sardinia (1799-1814) Charles Felix of Sardinia

charles felix grand master of order of saints maurice , lazarus

charles emmanuel iv childless and, after death of wife, abdicated in favour of brother victor emmanuel on 4 june 1802. latter did not take possession of domains in sardinia himself, preferring entrust them charles felix viceroy.

charles felix s government of sardinia rather rigid , authoritarian. since sardinian revolutionary movements (it) in 1794, island had experienced period of disorder, exacerbated widespread poverty, had led increase in crime, viceroy supressed notable harshness, writing brother king, slaughter, slaughter, of human race.

charles felix established military regime, such sardinian subjects referred him carlo feroce (charles ferocious). tool of regime special court of viceregal delegation investigation of political proceedings, took action against capopolo (popular leader), vincenzo sulis, guilty of nothing other having been more successful viceroy in defeating revolutionary movements. when sulis condemned twenty years in gaol, viceroy considered lenient sentence. furthermore, in persecution of state criminals, charles felix legitimated adoption of military procedures , granted every power police, spying, censoring letters , placing bounties on suspects.

in reorganisation work, however, displayed notable energy control autonomy of judiciary , local bureaucracy , managed correct abuses of feudal regime.

in fact, when stamenti, parliament of kingdom, voted pay tax of 400,000 lire, charles felix exerted significant pressure have poorest classes exempted tax , judged disputes in feudal jurisdiction in favour of vassals rather feudal lords. when anti-feudal revolt took place against duke of asinara, had refused conform regulations of viceroy, charles felix decided punish both duke, stripped of property, revolutionaries.

despite precarious political , social situation, charles felix able bring improvements agriculture , economy of island. under rule, agrarian society , office administration of crown mines , forests established. additionally, farming of olives encouraged , commercial contracts granted in order encourage local production. finally, began project systematise road network.